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Using a conceptual graph, Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District Field Operations Manager Clint Carter shows how water demand is increasing significantly, while supply is going down.
Photo by Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
July 29, 2024
Medina Lake rises nearly six feet after setting new documented low
By Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
The Bandera Prophet
Since the drought of 2011, Bandera County has had 10 years of below average rainfall. Clinton Carter, PSM watershed ecologist and Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District field operations manager, said 2024 has had 30-plus days of drought, placing this year in the same water-starved league as 2023 and 2011.
Rainfall dating back from the 80s to current is decreasing, Carter said. “That certainly explains a lot of what we’re seeing here.”
During his quarterly BCRAGD report, Carter said trees are entering premature dormancy, turning during the summer months instead of the fall, causing the loss of bald cypress trees hundreds of years old, degraded water quality, decreased water flow and increased riverbed sediment. The Medina Lake in many areas is now a desert landscape, where it once was under water.
Now 3.6 percent capacity at 976.02 feet thanks to a deluge last week, the Medina Lake had dropped on July 22 to 2.2 percent at 970.05 feet - beating the previously documented record low of 2.8 percent at 972.42 feet, set May 25, 2014, according to the Texas Water Development Board.
“We need a flood event that’s powerful enough to scour the streams, and continued rain,” Carter said, adding the county’s estimated population is around 23,000 and growing. “Demand is going up significantly, and supply is going down.”
~ In other business, BCRAGD board directors unanimously approved a public water supply for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Albert and Bessie Kronkosky State Natural Area. The 3,700-acre park, at 7690 Hwy. 46 in Pipe Creek, requested an annual production limit of 15 acre feet; BCRAGD General Manager Dave Mauk recommended a 12-acre-feet annual production at 50 gallons per minute.
“That part of the county can be very challenging…some areas down there are showing water shortage,” Mauk said.
~ Five BCRAGD director seats will be open for election Nov. 5, which will be conducted in collaboration with the county. The open seats are Pct. 1, held by Ernest DeWinne; Pct. 1, held by John Benedict; Pct. 2, held by Don Sloan; Pct. 3, held by Melissa Checkovage; and Pct. 4, held by Jada Jo Smith. The deadline to file for candidacy is Monday, Aug. 19, at 5 p.m.
Rainfall dating back from the 80s to current is decreasing, Carter said. “That certainly explains a lot of what we’re seeing here.”
During his quarterly BCRAGD report, Carter said trees are entering premature dormancy, turning during the summer months instead of the fall, causing the loss of bald cypress trees hundreds of years old, degraded water quality, decreased water flow and increased riverbed sediment. The Medina Lake in many areas is now a desert landscape, where it once was under water.
Now 3.6 percent capacity at 976.02 feet thanks to a deluge last week, the Medina Lake had dropped on July 22 to 2.2 percent at 970.05 feet - beating the previously documented record low of 2.8 percent at 972.42 feet, set May 25, 2014, according to the Texas Water Development Board.
“We need a flood event that’s powerful enough to scour the streams, and continued rain,” Carter said, adding the county’s estimated population is around 23,000 and growing. “Demand is going up significantly, and supply is going down.”
~ In other business, BCRAGD board directors unanimously approved a public water supply for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Albert and Bessie Kronkosky State Natural Area. The 3,700-acre park, at 7690 Hwy. 46 in Pipe Creek, requested an annual production limit of 15 acre feet; BCRAGD General Manager Dave Mauk recommended a 12-acre-feet annual production at 50 gallons per minute.
“That part of the county can be very challenging…some areas down there are showing water shortage,” Mauk said.
~ Five BCRAGD director seats will be open for election Nov. 5, which will be conducted in collaboration with the county. The open seats are Pct. 1, held by Ernest DeWinne; Pct. 1, held by John Benedict; Pct. 2, held by Don Sloan; Pct. 3, held by Melissa Checkovage; and Pct. 4, held by Jada Jo Smith. The deadline to file for candidacy is Monday, Aug. 19, at 5 p.m.